JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – High school football season is back and so are our weekly predictions for local games. Each Thursday during the season, News4JAX sports editor Justin Barney will offer his picks on the games.
Last week: 28-8. Season: 150-42 (.781).
Week 6 predictions
Thursday, Sept. 25
Cedar Creek Christian (0-6) at Harvest Community (0-5): Warriors with their first win of the season. N4J pick: Harvest 22, Cedar Creek 14.
Impact Christian (3-1) at Tallahassee Chiles (3-2): Lions have a tough test this week. Timberwolves have played a tough schedule. N4J pick: Chiles 34, Impact 24.
Matanzas (3-2) at Daytona Beach Mainland (3-1): Pirates had Seabreeze last week and Bucs this week. Difficult Daytona double. N4J pick: Mainland 38, Matanzas 13.
Friday, Sept. 26
(3) Bolles (4-1) at Baldwin (4-1), 6:30 p.m.: Bulldogs have been locking teams down on defense the last two weeks. N4J pick: (3) Bolles 42, Baldwin 6.
(8) Bradford (4-1) at Keystone Heights (0-4), 7:30 p.m.: Tornadoes on cruise control N4J pick: (8) Bradford 42, Keystone Heights 0.
Christ’s Church (4-1) at Episcopal (4-1): Battle of the Eagles goes to the home team. N4J pick: Episcopal 28, Christ’s Church 20.
(4) Columbia (5-0) at (2) St. Augustine (5-0): Yellow Jackets could make a case for No. 1 spot if they win this one decisively. N4J pick: (2) St. Augustine 31, (4) Columbia 23.
Cornerstone Classical Academy (0-4) at Providence (1-4): Stallions keep Cornerstone searching for first win. N4J pick: Providence 31, Cornerstone 14.
Creekside (1-4) at Sandalwood (0-5), 6:30 p.m.: Knights can take a step towards back-to-back district championships with a win here. N4J pick: Creekside 38, Sandalwood 13.
Duval Charter (0-5) at St. Joseph (4-0): Flashes get to midseason perfect. N4J pick: St. Joseph 35, Duval Charter 13.
Faith Christian (1-4) at Joshua Christian (2-2): Eagles match win total of best season (2023). N4J pick: Joshua Christian 14, Faith Christian 13.
Father Lopez (3-2) at Crescent City (2-3): Raiders get back to .500. N4J pick: Crescent City 21, Father Lopez 13.
Fernandina Beach (5-1) at West Nassau (5-1): Warriors find redemption after playoff loss to Pirates last year. N4J pick: West Nassau 28, Fernandina Beach 24.
Fleming Island (3-1) at Ponte Vedra (3-2): Sharks turn back Golden Eagles in a district clash. N4J pick: Ponte Vedra 33, Fleming Island 24.
Godby (2-3) at Baker County (2-3): Wildcats in a close one. N4J pick: Baker County 28, Godby 20.
Hilliard (2-3) at Branford (3-2), 7:30 p.m.: Red Flashes got a 477-yard, seven-TD rushing performance from DJ Alderman last week. Will he have that same luck in this one? N4J pick: Branford 35, Hilliard 28.
KIPP Bold City (0-5) at NFEI (1-3): Eagles have played a tough schedule. They’ll be ready for this one. N4J pick: NFEI 48, KIPP Bold City 12.
(6) Mandarin (4-1) at First Coast (3-1), 6:30 p.m.: Buccaneers are looking for a three-game winning streak but it’s going to be difficult. N4J pick: (6) Mandarin 38, First Coast 14.
Merritt Island (3-2) at (9) White (4-0), 6:30 p.m.: Commanders’ schedule has been light on the front end. This is a big test as they chase a perfect regular season. N4J pick: (9) White 28, Merritt Island 20.
Middleburg (5-0) at Orange Park (2-3): Broncos stay perfect before schedule starts to pick up. N4J pick: Middleburg 32, Orange Park 20.
(5) Nease (4-1) at Buchholz (4-1): Tough, tough game for the Panthers, and potentially the first of two clashes if they square off in the postseason. N4J pick: Buchholz 28, (5) Nease 24.
(7) Oakleaf (4-1) at Fletcher (4-1), 6:30 p.m.: Knights open district schedule with a tough win. N4J pick: (7) Oakleaf 24, Fletcher 20.
Old Plank Christian (3-2) at Seven Rivers Christian (1-4): Defenders get back on track. N4J pick: Old Plank 28, Seven Rivers Christian 20.
Orange City University (1-3) at Flagler Palm Coast (1-3): Bulldogs start district play out with a win. N4J pick: FPC 31, OC University 21.
Palatka (1-4) at Newberry (1-3), 7:30 p.m.: Panthers let one get away from them last week. N4J pick: Newberry 22, Palatka 20.
Parker (0-4) at Bishop Kenny (2-2): Crusaders bounce back after dropping their last two games. N4J pick: Bishop Kenny 34, Parker 14.
Paxon (3-2) at Union County (1-3), 7:30 p.m.: Calling an upset pick for the Golden Eagles here. N4J pick: Paxon 27, Union County 21.
(1) Raines (3-0) at Riverside (1-4), 6:30 p.m.: Vikings have had two byes in the first five weeks of the season. The march to state starts here and ends in December. N4J pick: (1) Raines 58, Riverside 13.
Ribault (1-4) at Yulee (5-0): Hornets have been exceptional this year for head coach Kyle Dougherty. District win here. N4J pick: Yulee 27, Ribault 20.
Ridgeview (1-3) at Clay (0-5): Blue Devils get head coach Jeff Gierke his first win. N4J pick: Clay 35, Ridgeview 13.
Specially Fit Academy (4-1) at Young Kids in Motion (0-4): Ravens remain winless at midseason. N4J pick: Specially Fit 42, Young Kids in Motion 13.
Stanton (3-3) at Englewood (0-4), 6:30 p.m.: Blue Devils have got something going with head coach Dennis Bettinger this year. N4J pick: Stanton 34, Englewood 20.
Tocoi Creek (3-1) at Bartram Trail (1-4): Toros won big in this game last year. I’m betting the Bears get back in the winning mode after picking up their first last week. N4J pick: Bartram Trail 28, Tocoi Creek 24.
University Christian (4-1) at Santa Fe (4-0), 7:30 p.m.: Tough game for both teams. UC defense has been lights out. Really think this is a team that can reach the state semifinals. N4J pick: UC 31, Santa Fe 21.
Wakulla (2-2) at Suwannee (1-4), 7:30 p.m.: Can Bulldogs get back-to-back wins? N4J pick: Wakulla 28, Suwannee 14.
West Oaks Academy (1-4) vs. Zarephath Academy (1-4): Eagles in a close one. N4J pick: Zarephath 21, West Oaks 20.
Westside (0-4) at Menendez (2-3): Falcons get back to .500. N4J pick: Menendez 38, Westside 13.
Wolfson (2-3) at Jackson (2-3), 6:30 p.m.: I disrespected the Wolfpack last week with my pick and they made me eat my words. I think strength of schedule is the difference here. N4J pick: Jackson 27, Wolfson 14.
OFF: Atlantic Coast, Beachside, Bishop Snyder, Eagle’s View, Fort White, Interlachen, Trinity Christian.